These are screenshots for the new M1A2 Abrams tank for FAF Korea 2010...

I just completed the new shapes and new textures. The tank has very detailed skins and as accurate a shape as FA would allow. Plus the turret is fully revolving...

I still need to add details like gear to the storage racks, thermal sights, and antenns, though I did add a very detailed M2HB 50 CAL heavy machinegun with ammo can attached. You can see it in the last screenshot...

With the available polygons in the shape I can EITHER make a more realeastic
tank gun (with fume extractor) or I can correct the position of the 50 cal machinegun
on the turret and add antennas...

So which choice wold you make to add more reality to the shape?_________________CAG Hotshot
"FAF Shape Meister"
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Sun Dec 19 1:48:17 2010

Snake

Rank: Researcher/Moderator

Joined: 31 Aug 2007

Posts: 173

Post subject:

I think a more realistic tank gun would be a better use of the available polygons. Thank you CAG._________________FAF Beta Tester
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Sun Dec 19 12:47:51 2010

SHARKMEAT

Rank: Nugget

Joined: 11 Feb 2005

Posts: 16

Post subject:

I like the 50 cal machinegun
on the turret and add antennas.........CHEERS and a Merry Xmas_________________

Sun Dec 19 13:55:31 2010

CAG Hotshot

Rank: Admin, Site Owner, Developer, Webmaster

Joined: 12 Aug 2004

Posts: 16086

Post subject:

So, out of a membership list of 144 members I got 2... Yes a whole whopping 2 of you, to respond...

Ok that tells me all I need to know about this ...

We now have a shortage of people not only helping out, but flat out responding to my requests...

If this continues I will think strongly about restucturing the site and about keeping it open when it is time to renew if members dont become more active...._________________CAG Hotshot
"FAF Shape Meister"
Forum Administrator
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Wed Dec 22 23:31:04 2010

Magnum_VF

Rank: Senior Moderator

Joined: 17 Aug 2004

Posts: 544

Post subject:

Sorry CAG, I tend to not visit while at work - for some reason the site will crash my firefox here. At home been remodeling the house and wedding planning.

Not much help either way.

Perfectly understandable given the community, hate to see all your hard work go for nothing but it is what it is I suppose.

Thu Dec 23 16:33:11 2010

CAG Hotshot

Rank: Admin, Site Owner, Developer, Webmaster

Joined: 12 Aug 2004

Posts: 16086

Post subject:

Mag,

No worries this wasnt directed at you or the others that have kept in touch over the years...

Besides...

Well it turns out I have had a response from a VERY talented programmer that is going to aid me in getting FAF released.

This guy is very good an he has built an automated shape editing tool...

So for the first time anyone that wants to build a shape can aid me and build it for me...

It will still require me to edit the skin layouts and polygon visibility factors, but it will still be a huge help for anyone that wants to use it to help get FAF out the door...

So it looks like I wont be closing down the site anyway..._________________CAG Hotshot
"FAF Shape Meister"
Forum Administrator
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Fri Dec 24 6:46:44 2010

Eaglesbrew

Rank: Assistant Forum Administrator

Joined: 28 Aug 2004

Posts: 707

Post subject:

CAG I am sorry as well. I have not checke back in as I shoudl have been. To many distractions, but I should have contacted you to let you know. Sorry about that. I will do whatever I can to helpout, so please message me when you have the time.

In relation to the M-1 tank, I would prefer to see a better detailed tank cannon. I believe it will help immensely with making the shape look more realeastic. Plus you could turn the old tank cannon into the coaxial machine gun by shortening it and shrinking it and moving it off center to the right of the new main gun you are will hopefully build._________________ Asst Forum Admin
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Fri Dec 24 8:02:48 2010

Magnum_VF

Rank: Senior Moderator

Joined: 17 Aug 2004

Posts: 544

Post subject:

I agree with Eagle's suggestions

and that's great news about the auto generating.

Fri Dec 24 8:52:26 2010

DukeB-120th

Rank: Developer/Moderator

Joined: 11 Oct 2004

Posts: 2338

Post subject:

CAG,

If either of the modifications would inherently be visible from farther away due to shape limitations, I would make the edit that would be visible from greater distance. (Would this all be near shape stuff?)

If visible distance isn't the dominating consideration, I suggest you put the aerials rather than the bore evacuator. After looking at pictures of Abrams, I feel the gun and aerials would stand out more.

The "democratization" of the editing process is a great victory! If you could tell what would be involved in helping with the edits, I might be willing/able to assist._________________
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Sat Dec 25 2:07:49 2010

CAG Hotshot

Rank: Admin, Site Owner, Developer, Webmaster

Joined: 12 Aug 2004

Posts: 16086

Post subject:

Duke, I appreciate the offer to help and yes I can use it...

The new member is Hawke and he should be logging in any day now to introduce himself...

And the M-1 is all about close up stuff. There is no detailing in the far distance shapes and I have not had a chance to try to crack the code that controls that...

So all edits are in the close up detailed shape..._________________CAG Hotshot
"FAF Shape Meister"
Forum Administrator
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TSH Member/Developer

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Sun Dec 26 0:26:17 2010

Eaglesbrew

Rank: Assistant Forum Administrator

Joined: 28 Aug 2004

Posts: 707

Post subject:

Cag I still would like to see a more detailed tank cannon. Not just for the fume extractor, but so that it also has the same texture as the rest of the tank so it doesnt look "stuck on" to it like it does now._________________ Asst Forum Admin
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Sun Dec 26 23:11:24 2010

Pappy014

Rank: Lieutenant

Joined: 14 Aug 2004

Posts: 661

Post subject: M1

CAG

I vote for a more realistic tank gun. The big gun is the one you look at!